NYC erupts in clashes as anti‑ICE protests turn violent
NEW YORK — What began as a peaceful demonstration in Lower Manhattan against recent immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) turned into a night of unrest Tuesday, as protesters clashed with police, leading to dozens of arrests and heightened political tensions.
Protest escalates near federal plaza
Thousands of demonstrators filled Foley Square on the evening of June 10, chanting “ICE out of NYC” and calling for an end to aggressive immigration enforcement. The protest, organized by local advocacy groups, was one of the largest anti-ICE mobilizations in the city this year.
As night fell, tensions escalated. A faction of protesters moved toward the nearby ICE field office at 26 Federal Plaza, breaching barricades and confronting police. According to eyewitness accounts and official statements, objects including bottles, traffic cones, and trash were thrown at officers.
NYPD responds with arrests
By 10 p.m., NYPD officers deployed pepper spray and began dispersing the crowd. According to the department, 86 individuals were detained—34 facing charges such as disorderly conduct and obstruction, and 52 issued summonses.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the escalation, stating, “We will
u PAGE 5
US to tax remittances, raises alarm for Filipino families
President Trump’s 2025 remittance tax proposal, now passed by the House, targets non-citizens sending money abroad. Overseas Filipinos and global economies brace as Senate debate looms
by AJPress
WASHINGTON — Filipino families and remittance-dependent communities may soon feel the impact of a sweeping U.S. tax and immigration reform package championed by President Donald Trump. As of June 5, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives
has narrowly passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which includes a controversial provision: a 3.5% excise tax on remittances sent abroad by non-U.S. citizens.
The measure is now under Senate consideration amid growing concern from immigrant advocacy groups, economic analysts, and international stakeholders.
Remittance tax: What the bill proposes
Three Filipino American artists take center stage at the 2025 Tony award
Janet Napoles once again convicted in new graft case; other legal outcomes mixed
Passed on May 22 by a narrow 215–214 vote, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” includes a 3.5% tax on outbound personal money transfers—known as remittances—sent by non-citizens residing in the United States, including green card holders and temporary visa holders. If signed into law, the measure would take effect on January 1, 2026.
Senate confirms Duterte impeachment trial will resume under 20th Congress
Proceedings to continue after July 28; Escudero says Senate remains ready as House Prosecutors insist case is already valid
by AJPress
MANILA — The Philippine Senate will resume the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio after the opening of the 20th Congress on July 28, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed this week—quelling speculation that the historic case had been derailed.
“This action is procedural, not a dismissal,” Escudero said following the Senate’s controversial decision to remand the articles
NEW YORK — Broadway made history on June 8, 2025, when three Filipino-American artists— Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss, and Marco Paguia—earned major honors at the 78th Annual Tony Awards. In a single evening, their wins redefined visibility for Filipino talent on the American stage—from center spotlight to behind the music.
Held at Radio City Music Hall, the ceremony marked a moment of cultural and artistic convergence: Scherzinger and Criss won top acting awards for musical performances, while Paguia was recognized for his work shaping the soul of a major production. It was the first time three FilipinoAmericans were honored across leading and technical categories at Broadway’s highest level. Nicole Scherzinger: “I Have
by AJPress
decade since the scandal first came to light.
Hall of Fame
by AJPress by AJPress
MANILA — Janet Lim-Napoles, the businesswoman at the center of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) controversy, was once again convicted by the Sandiganbayan in a graft case involving the misuse of a former lawmaker’s PDAF allocation. The ruling adds to a series of legal outcomes that continue to unfold more than a
New conviction over Mamfi NGO
In its June 6 ruling, the antigraft court convicted Napoles, along with former Technology Resource Center officials Dennis Cunanan, Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, and her associate Evelyn de Leon, for their roles in diverting P1.17 million from the PDAF of then CIBAC party-list
Eight-division champion honored for a storied career that transcended the sport
CANASTOTA — Boxing icon and former Philippine Senator Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao was officially inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) on Sunday, June 8, securing his place in history as one of the sport’s all-time greats. The ceremony, held at Turning Stone Resort u PAGE 2
u PAGE 7 u PAGE 4
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
HONORABLE SET. Senators take their oaths as judges on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 as the impeachment court formally convenes for the trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte. Senate President Francis Escudero reaffirmed their roles in ensuring a fair and impartial process. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
US to tax remittances, raises...
PAGE 1
The proposal was initially set at 5% but was reduced following pushback from both House moderates and outside interest groups.
According to the bill’s supporters, the tax is meant to raise revenue for U.S. border security and immigration enforcement efforts, including renewed funding for wall construction and expanded deportation programs. However, critics warn that the policy will impose additional financial burdens on millions of legal immigrants while delivering negligible gains for national security.
Philippine and global impact
The Philippines is among the countries most affected by the measure. In 2024, overseas Filipinos sent a record $38.34 billion in remittances, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Of that total, approximately $15.7 billion—or 41%—came from the United States, making it the single largest source of remittances to the Philippines.
These inflows support millions of families and account for an estimated 8.3% of the country’s GDP. However, only the portion of remittances sent by noncitizens—such as green card holders and temporary visa holders—would be subject to the proposed 3.5% tax. That levy could result in hundreds of millions of dollars in reduced value for recipient families, depending on the proportion of transfers made by non-citizen overseas Filipinos.
The reduction could significantly impact household spending on housing, education, healthcare, and small businesses—particularly in provinces reliant on overseas income.
According to labor and wage data, the average salary in the Philippines is approximately PHP 539,755 per year (around $9,528). In this context, remittances from overseas Filipinos serve not just as financial support but as a stabilizing economic force for many households.
Similar concerns are being raised in other top remittance-receiving nations like India, Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
Economists warn the measure could encourage senders to shift to informal or underground channels, which are harder to regulate and more susceptible to fraud or money laundering. Implementation challenges Under the proposed law, financial institutions and money service businesses would need to verify a sender’s citizenship or immigration status before processing transfers. Critics argue this would place an undue compliance burden on banks and remittance providers, and raise privacy issues for consumers.
There is also concern that such a tax could incentivize untraceable transactions through non-traditional methods such as hawala networks or hand-carry arrangements—reversing decades of progress in financial transparency.
Trump’s justification and broader strategy
President Trump has framed the remittance tax as part of a broader plan to make foreign nationals “help pay for border protection,” arguing that many noncitizens benefit from U.S. infrastructure while sending earnings abroad.
This effort forms a core piece of his administration’s immigration and fiscal agenda for his second term.
The White House has also touted the bill’s provisions on tax cuts, entitlement reform, and energy production.
Senate outlook and fiscal concerns
Despite House approval, the bill faces a more complex path in the Senate. Several Republican senators have
Janet Napoles once again convicted...
Rep. Joel Villanueva (2007–2009) into the now-defunct Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. (Mamfi).
The court found that Mamfi failed to implement any of the intended livelihood projects. All four were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and perpetually disqualified from holding public office, with Napoles ordered to reimburse the full amount. They were acquitted of malversation due to gaps in the prosecution’s documentation.
Earlier ruling convicted Napoles and Biazon in separate PDAF case; Biazon appeals outcome
voiced concern over the package’s long-term fiscal impact. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the overall bill would add $2.4 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade.
The remittance tax provision is also drawing resistance from some lawmakers in states with large immigrant populations, who argue it could alienate critical voting blocs and harm local economies.
As of this writing, the Senate has not scheduled formal hearings, though leadership has indicated that deliberations will begin later this month.
Diplomatic and global repercussions
As the U.S. Senate prepares to debate the bill, foreign governments are closely watching. Countries like the Philippines, India, and El Salvador have begun raising concerns through diplomatic channels, citing fears of economic instability and increased use of informal money transfer systems.
Multilateral institutions, including the World Bank and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), are expected to release guidance on how remittance-reliant nations can respond to a potential disruption in cross-border flows.
Should the tax be signed into law, bilateral negotiations, exemptions for humanitarian cases, and remittance treaties may emerge as strategic tools to preserve economic stability and protect overseas families dependent on U.S.-based income. n
NGO that failed to implement its proposed projects. He was sentenced to six years and one month to eight years in prison and permanently disqualified from holding public office.
His legal counsel, Atty. Mitchell-David Espiritu, has since filed a motion for reconsideration, arguing that the conviction contradicts earlier rulings and that Biazon did not receive kickbacks nor had any direct link to Napoles.
As of this writing, Biazon continues to serve as mayor of Muntinlupa while his appeal is pending. He was reelected unopposed in May 2025 and maintains that his actions as a legislator were performed in good faith.
This conviction came just days after a separate Sandiganbayan ruling on May 30, 2025, in which Napoles was sentenced to eight years in prison for a P3 million graft case involving former Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano “Ruffy” Biazon, now serving as Mayor of Muntinlupa.
Biazon’s case involved the release of PDAF funds in 2007 to the Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc. (PSDFI), a nongovernmental organization later linked to Napoles. He was originally charged with graft, malversation, and direct bribery, but the Sandiganbayan dismissed the bribery and malversation charges, citing insufficient and unauthenticated evidence — particularly documents submitted by whistleblower Benhur Luy.
The court, however, found Biazon liable for graft, concluding that he authorized the release of funds to an
Plunder acquittal with Enrile upheld
Meanwhile, on June 5, the Sandiganbayan denied a motion by government prosecutors seeking to overturn a previous decision acquitting Napoles and former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile in a P172.8 million plunder case. The court ruled that the earlier decision—granted through a demurrer to evidence—was final and unappealable, thus affirming Enrile’s acquittal and permanently closing the case.
Enrile, who had been released on humanitarian bail in 2015, consistently denied the charges. The court noted that prosecutors failed to prove that Enrile personally amassed ill-gotten wealth.
Snapshot of recent legal outcomes
Napoles is currently serving multiple sentences at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong. Biazon’s appeal is under
review, and other PDAFrelated cases involving public officials and Napoles-linked NGOs remain active in court.
Background: The PDAF controversy
The Priority Development Assistance Fund, or PDAF, was a discretionary fund that allowed legislators to finance small-scale development projects in their districts. In 2013, it became the focus of a major political scandal after whistleblower Benhur Luy, a former employee of Napoles, exposed how lawmakers allegedly funneled public money through fake NGOs in exchange for kickbacks.
The revelations led to mass protests, Senate hearings, and the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling declaring the PDAF unconstitutional. Napoles, accused of masterminding the scheme, was charged in multiple graft, malversation, and plunder cases alongside lawmakers, agency officials, and private collaborators.
Legal observations
The outcomes of recent rulings show a pattern in the courts: graft convictions are more likely to succeed when the prosecution can document unlawful public fund releases or procedural violations, while plunder cases—which require proof of personal enrichment of at least P50 million—often falter due to a higher burden of evidence.
Legal analysts note that these decisions illustrate the complexity of prosecuting high-profile corruption cases in the Philippines, where technical documentation, witness credibility, and legal thresholds significantly influence the outcome. n
Manny Pacquiao inducted into international
Casino in Verona, New York, drew fans and champions from around the world who came to witness the enshrinement of a man whose legacy goes far beyond the ring.
A career like no other Pacquiao made history as the only boxer to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, from flyweight (112 lbs) to light middleweight (154 lbs). His professional career spanned three decades, beginning in 1995 as a teenage prizefighter and culminating in some of the highest-
grossing bouts in boxing history.
With a final record of 62 wins (39 by knockout), 8 losses, and 2 draws, Pacquiao fought—and often defeated—some of the sport’s greatest names: Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Keith Thurman. In 2019, at age 40, he became the oldest welterweight champion in history after defeating Thurman via split decision. Hall of Fame, first ballot Pacquiao was inducted on his first year of eligibility, a
...
rare honor that underscored his impact on global boxing. Taking the podium in front of a packed audience, he delivered a deeply emotional and reflective speech.
“I came from nothing. Just a small boy from the streets of General Santos City. No shoes. No food. No chance. Just a dream in my heart. I know hunger. I know pain. I know what it means to be counted out.”
“But I also know what God can do when you keep the faith and never give up… Boxing gave me a way out. It turned my struggles into
PAGE 1
NY nurses face job cuts and budget pressures
New York nurses face job cuts, Medicaid threats, and burnout as hospitals restructure. NYSNA fights back, demanding protections for healthcare workers and patients alike.
NEW YORK — Just a few years ago, they were hailed as heroes. Today, thousands of New York’s frontline nurses are confronting layoffs, understaffing, and budget slashes that threaten both their livelihoods and the quality of patient care. The shift from public praise to financial pressure reflects a growing concern: that the healthcare workers who helped carry the city through its darkest days are now being sidelined by policy decisions and cost-cutting agendas.
At the heart of the response is the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the state’s largest union of registered nurses, representing more than 42,000 members. The group is sounding the alarm over hospital systems that are quietly reducing staff and restructuring budgets— moves that many say disproportionately affect nurses and frontline care providers.
Austerity in the wake of crisis
Major hospital networks, including NewYork-Presbyterian, have announced plans to trim expenses, with staff reductions and department consolidations expected as part of broader cost-cutting measures. At least 1,000 positions could be affected, according to union leaders.
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, a veteran intensive care nurse, expressed concern that the very workers who risked their lives during the pandemic are now being pushed aside.
“These cuts don’t just harm nurses,” Hagans said in a recent statement. “They hurt patients. They hurt entire communities.”
The timing is particularly troubling for those dependent on Medicaid, as Congress debates new budget proposals that could slash federal health funding and leave states like New York scrambling to fill the gap. NYSNA estimates that New York could lose over $1 billion in Medicaid support if federal reductions are enacted.
What Medicaid Expansion Actually Achieved
Public health researchers have long argued that Medicaid expansion is more than a budgetary line item—it’s a life-saving policy. And the data bears that out.
A 2023 National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
study estimated that Medicaid expansion since 2010 has saved over 27,000 lives nationally. States that adopted the expansion saw a 2.5% overall drop in mortality—with even sharper declines among low-income adults who gained coverage.
Maternal mortality also fell significantly: states with Medicaid expansion reported up to 7 fewer maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, especially benefiting Black and Latina mothers. Similarly, infant mortality rates dropped, particularly in areas with historically poor access to prenatal care.
“This is not just about insurance,” said a NYSNA policy analyst. “These are measurable, human outcomes—fewer deaths, healthier mothers, more children making it past their first birthday.”
Burnout, Exodus, and the next crisis
While hospital administrators often cite inflation, operational costs, and pandemic-related debt to justify budget cuts, nurses say they are being asked to shoulder the consequences.
NYSNA has accused hospital executives of continuing to collect high salaries and bonuses even as nurses face job insecurity and rising health insurance premiums.
“Their efforts to shift the burden of rising health insurance costs to their registered nurse staff was about returning more profits to themselves, not patient care,” NYSNA leadership stated during a 2023 public campaign.
President Hagans was especially critical of NewYork-Presbyterian, alleging that the hospital was exploiting budget uncertainty to downsize:
“They’re exploiting the real threat that impending federal Medicaid cuts pose as an excuse to cut jobs at the city’s wealthiest hospital.”
Three Filipino American artists take center stage...
PAGE 1
Come Home at Last”
Making her Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard, Nicole Scherzinger delivered a commanding performance as Norma Desmond, earning her the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.
Clad in a crimson Rodarte gown, Scherzinger gave one of the night’s most moving speeches: “I always felt like I didn’t belong — but you all have made me feel like I belong, and I have come home at last.”
Since 2020, more than 100,000 nurses nationwide have left the profession, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, citing burnout, moral injury, and worsening working conditions.
For those still in the field, the fear isn’t just of losing their jobs—it’s of being left behind in a system that continues to demand more for less.
“It’s not just about the numbers,” said one RN from the Bronx. “It’s the message it sends: that even after all we’ve given, we’re still disposable.”
Nurses mobilize for more than jobs
NYSNA is leading a statewide campaign to oppose Medicaid reductions and hospital downsizing. This includes rallies, public forums, and direct appeals to lawmakers.
Their demands go beyond protecting jobs: they’re calling for transparency in hospital finances and guarantees that laid-off nurses will be rehired within their health systems.
The stakes, they argue, are not just financial—they’re existential.
“We showed up when it mattered most,” said a NYSNA delegate. “All we’re asking is to be given the tools—and the respect—to keep doing our jobs.”
What nurses are fighting for Medicaid expansion has saved lives. Nurses helped save thousands more. Now both are under threat.
As New York nurses brace for budget-driven downsizing, their call is simple but urgent: protect the profession, preserve public health funding, and ensure that the gains made in the pandemic’s aftermath are not undone in the name of fiscal restraint.
The applause may have faded, but the work—and the struggle—continues. n
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Nicole Scherzinger is the daughter of Alfonso Valiente, who is of Filipino descent, and Rosemary Elikolani, a Native Hawaiian with Ukrainian ancestry. Raised in Louisville, Kentucky, she studied musical theater before rising to international fame as the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls. Her return to the stage was more than a career pivot—it was a return to her roots. Sunset Boulevard also won Best Revival of a Musical and Best Lighting Design, with Scherzinger’s performance hailed as operatic, vulnerable, and unmissable.
Darren Criss: A leading man reimagined
Darren Criss, already a Golden Globe and Emmy winner, took home the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending. His portrayal of Oliver, a decommissioned android rediscovering emotion, was praised for its subtlety and warmth.
In his speech, Criss thanked his wife Mia, the show’s creative team, and the ensemble cast. While he made no direct mention of his background during the ceremony, his performance and recognition signaled a new era of visibility for Asian-American talent in principal theatrical roles.
Criss, born in San Francisco, is the son of Cerina Criss, a Cebuana immigrant of Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish descent. He has spoken in past interviews about how his multicultural background shaped his career and creative voice.
From his breakout role in Glee to his historic Emmy win for portraying Andrew Cunanan, Criss has continually defied expectations. His Tony win affirms that the Broadway leading man is no longer confined to one look, voice, or lineage.
Marco Paguia: The maestro behind the music
Marco Paguia, a Filipino-American orchestrator and music director, won the Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for his work on Buena Vista Social Club. His lush arrangements honored the Afro-Cuban soul of the source material while elevating it with theatrical sophistication.
Paguia, a fixture in New York’s jazz and theater scenes, has worked across genres— from avant-garde jazz clubs to Broadway’s most demanding musical pits. This win placed him in the spotlight and marked a historic recognition of Filipino talent behind the scenes.
His orchestrations were essential to Buena Vista Social Club‘s immersive soundscape, which was also honored for choreography and sound design.
A banner night for Filipino American talent
In addition to the three major wins, the Tony Awards spotlighted other Filipino-American creatives:
– Conrad Ricamora earned a nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his surrealist role in Oh, Mary!
– Clint Ramos, a previous Tony winner and respected costume designer, earned his seventh nomination for his work on Maybe
Happy Ending.
– Lea Salonga, the celebrated Tony and Olivier Award-winning Filipina star, served as a presenter. She introduced Maybe Happy Ending, which went on to win Best Musical. Their collective presence highlighted not only individual achievement, but a cultural turning point for an entire community long rooted in musical excellence—from show choirs and church bands to Broadway’s biggest stages. A defining moment
The 2025 Tony Awards didn’t just mark wins—they marked a shift.
Filipino-American artists were not only included—they redefined the spotlight. It was a night of breakthrough—but more importantly, a night of belonging.
For Broadway, and for the generations still waiting in the wings, it was proof that the curtain has lifted on something bigger. n
Nicole Scherzinger – Tony Awardee for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Sunset Blvd.
Photo from Instagram/@nicolescherzinger
Marco Paguia – Tony Awardee for Best Orchestrations for his work on Buena Vista Social Club.
Photo from Instagram/@mrpagoo
Darren Criss – Tony Awardee for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending. Photo from Instagram/@darrencriss
NYC erupts in clashes as anti‑ICE...
PAGE 1
not tolerate lawlessness or endangerment of public safety.” While federal courthouse security was notified of the situation, no formal joint operation with ICE or DHS was confirmed.
City officials and advocates speak out
New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams both criticized the ICE raids and urged law enforcement to de-escalate future protest responses.
“This is about human dignity,” Hanif said. “We must protect our communities, not terrorize them.”
Advocacy groups including Make the Road New York and the New York Immigration Coalition also released statements demanding greater transparency from ICE and increased protections for immigrant families in the five boroughs.
Part of a nationwide wave of protests
New York’s unrest comes amid a wave of nationwide protests triggered by recent ICE operations in major cities. Demonstrations and clashes were reported in Los
Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Denver, and Albany, as federal enforcement actions intensified.
In Los Angeles, over 200 protesters were arrested after federal agents and local police confronted demonstrators in Downtown LA. Tear gas was deployed, and a citywide curfew was imposed. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have strongly criticized the federal government’s approach.
Governors and mayors in New York and Illinois echoed those concerns, accusing the Trump administration of stoking fear and undermining local efforts to protect vulnerable communities.
Unrest and accountability ICE has not issued any formal confirmation of a targeted enforcement strategy focused on Democratic-led cities. However, immigrant communities and civil rights groups remain wary, citing patterns in recent arrests and enforcement locations.
Advocacy organizations in New York have signaled plans to pursue legal avenues to contest certain detentions, though no formal court fil-
Manny Pacquiao inducted into international...
ings had been made as of press time.
Additional protests are scheduled for the weekend in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, with organizers urging nonviolence and solidarity. City agencies remain on high alert, coordinating crowd safety measures and monitoring potential flashpoints.
Immigrant rights groups are also calling on Congress to investigate the scope and legality of recent ICE operations and to hold hearings on the broader implications for civil liberties.
A national divide over immigration enforcement
The June 10 protests in New York underscore a growing national divide over immigration enforcement. What began as a peaceful show of solidarity quickly became a scene of confrontation and resistance—raising urgent questions about how law and policy intersect with human rights, civic dissent, and federal authority. As cities across the country brace for continued demonstrations, the spotlight now turns to how leaders at every level will respond. (AJPress)
3
strength, my failures into lessons. And my pain into purpose.”
“It was not just for me but for my family, for the Filipino people, and for the glory of our God.”
“I never chase greatness. I just worked hard to be better than the Manny Pacquiao I was yesterday. I never picked the easy fights. I chose the hard ones. I moved up weight one after weight, not to protect a record but to test my limits.”
From fighter to statesman
Born on December 17, 1978, in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Pacquiao’s rise from poverty has become legend. He left school to support his family and turned professional at just 16. At 19, he captured his first major title—the WBC flyweight crown. His rags-toriches story endeared him to fans around the world and made him a source of immense national pride in the Philippines.
Outside the ring, Pacquiao was elected to the Philippine Senate in 2016 and served a full term until 2022. In that same year, he ran for president. Although he was
not elected, he accepted the results with grace and emphasized unity and his continued commitment to public service.
A comeback at 46
Though inducted into the Hall of Fame, Pacquiao isn’t done yet. At age 46, he is preparing for a comeback fight on July 19, 2025, against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas. If successful, it could mark one of the
most remarkable late-career returns in boxing history.
A champion’s gratitude
Following the ceremony, Pacquiao took to social media to express his gratitude to his loved ones and supporters. Among the most personal moments was his heartfelt message to his family:
“To my wife Jinkee and our kids, thank you for your love and support through every high and every low.” n
Sales Rain is the leading provider of offshoring and seat leasing services. Established in 2005, we offer fully-equipped office spaces, recruitment
HR support, and essential tools at a competitive, all-inclusive rate, helping businesses save up to 70% on BPO costs and up to 30% on traditional outsourcing.
Manny Pacquiao
Photo from Facebook/@MannyPacquiao
The birth of the Filipino nation
WHY June 12 is celebrated as Philippine Independence Day and how it became the foundation
of Filipino identity
There are days that simply mark time, and there are days that mark a people. For Filipinos, June 12 is not just a date on the calendar—it resounds in the story we continue to tell, a moment when a long-silenced nation found its voice. It is the day we stepped into the world not as a colony, not as a possession, but as a people with a flag, a name, and a dream.
Editorial
Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herbosa in Hong Kong—was unfurled. The anthem, then a triumphant march, played its opening notes. For the first time, Filipinos stood under a symbol they could call their own.
But no revolution ever unfolds neatly.
On that bold afternoon in Kawit, Cavite, in 1898, a people—fractured by centuries of conquest, bound by shared hardship and rising hope—dared to declare themselves free.
From the balcony of his ancestral home, General Emilio Aguinaldo raised a flag stitched by exiles, and with it, the air filled not only with the heat of the tropics but the breath of a nation being born. The Act of the Declaration of Independence was read aloud.
The national flag—crafted by Marcela
AS I sat in the gender parity session at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, a familiar frustration engulfed me. Year after year, the best minds and policy experts from around the world gather to discuss the same pressing challenges. Yet meaningful progress in gender parity somehow remains elusive.
The statistics shown at the
That moment of triumph—of vision, of collective voice—was shadowed by betrayal on the global stage. Spain, defeated in war, surrendered the Philippines not to its own people, but to a rising empire: the United States.
The Treaty of Paris, signed in December 1898, transferred the archipelago for a sum of twenty million dollars—without a single Filipino at the negotiating table. The ink had barely dried on our declaration when a new colonizer arrived.
What followed was the Philippine-American
The economic cost of inaction on gender parity
session represent millions of women whose potential remains untapped, their dreams deferred by systemic barriers we have failed to dismantle. And in this era of technological advancements, it’s unacceptable that so many are still unable to participate in society and the economy.
The math is simple: if women participated in the global economy at the same rate as men, we could double the world’s gross domestic product. This isn’t just about
fairness; it’s about economic common sense.
In the United States, women are projected to hold roughly 38 percent of investible assets by 2030. But they continue to be underrepresented on corporate boards: only 6 percent of CEOs worldwide are women, and board seats held by women still hover below 20 percent. Women’s economic exclusion persists, especially in the emerging economies of South Asia.
War—a brutal, protracted conflict that cost more than lives. It cost illusions. The promise of independence became a blood-stained struggle for recognition, for self-rule, for the
IN Philippine bureaucracy, delay is a form of governance. Committees bury bills. “Further study” means forget it. Reform is where good ideas go to die. But seldom has stalling struck so directly at the Constitution as in the case of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment.
When Chief Justice Renato Corona was impeached in 2011, the Senate convened
right to exist on our own terms. Still, the dream endured. In whispered stories, in revolutionary poems, in the
Trial by delay
the day after receiving the complaint. Trial began in weeks.
Today? The Duterte complaint arrived Feb. 5. Four months later, the chamber is still wrapped in the language of protocol.
The Constitution isn’t subtle.
Article XI, Section 3(4) says once a verified complaint is endorsed by a third of House members, “the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.” Not “eventually.”
Not “if the schedule allows.” Forthwith. It’s a constitutional
trumpet, not a lunch break yawn.
Yet the Senate plays for time. It cites presentation agenda, committee detours, and sacred recesses. Delay becomes strategy, dressed up as scheduling. This is not interpretation —it’s evasion. The Supreme Court has warned against such textual gymnastics. For example, in Chavez v. Judicial and Bar Council, it ruled that Congress gets only one representative in the JBC—not two—because the Constitution says “a representative.” This
Publication of a Client’s Material does not constitute an a greement to continue publication.
Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI
Datin Seri Umayal eSwaran
noel B. lazaro
DAteline PhiliPPines
Grab deploys PH’s first fully electric taxi fleet
by Tyrone Jasper piad Inquirer.net
MANILA — Grab Philippines launched the country’s first fully electric taxi fleet in Metro Manila, in line with its goal of providing sustainable transport option.
The GrabTaxi Electric service, currently in beta testing, is available in Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Paranaque and Pasay.
The ride-hailing app company is teaming up with local operator EV Taxi Corp. for this service.
“This is not just about offering another ride option,”
said Grab Philippines Country Head Ronald Roda.
“It’s about fundamentally changing the DNA of urban transport in the Philippines
– one that aligns with our sustainability commitments, empowers Filipino commuters, and creates meaningful green livelihoods,” he added. n
Senate confirms Duterte impeachment trial...
of impeachment to the House of Representatives.
“The Senate remains ready to proceed with the trial.”
On June 10, the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, voted 18–5 to return the articles for legal certification, citing procedural questions over whether the complaint satisfied constitutional standards. Despite this, the Senate retained jurisdiction and formally summoned the Vice President to respond to the charges.
House Prosecutors reject delay, say trial must proceed
The House prosecution panel, led by Rep. Gerville Luistro, pushed back forcefully, insisting that the Senate had already assumed jurisdiction and that the complaint—adopted by a supermajority vote in February—complies with all constitutional requirements.
“No one can stop this anymore,” Luistro declared.
“The Senate convened. The impeachment court was formed. The trial must go on.”
Legal scholars and civil society organizations— including religious leaders and legal advocacy groups— also criticized the Senate’s remand as a “procedural smokescreen,” warning that further delays risk eroding public trust in democratic accountability.
Trial paused until 20th Congress convenes July 28
are now in recess. However, the court remains legally constituted, and procedural rules have already been adopted to guide the trial’s next stages.
Once the House transmits the requested certification, Duterte will have 10 days to file her formal response.
The Senate impeachment court is then expected to move forward with opening statements, evidence presentation, and witness testimony.
Originally, a 19-day schedule aimed to conclude the trial by June 30, but that timeline has now shifted to late July or August, following the expected State of the Nation Address by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Charges and stakes
Vice President Duterte faces seven major charges, including:
• Unexplained wealth
• Misuse of confidential and intelligence funds while serving as Education Secretary and Vice President
• Issuing threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez
• Alleged links to human rights violations associated with the Duterte administration’s war on drugs
Public reaction and political undercurrents
The Senate’s decision to remand the articles sparked widespread backlash. Protesters gathered outside the Senate building carrying placards that labeled senators “cowards” and “traitors,” calling for the trial to proceed without delay.
Meanwhile, Duterte allies—most prominently Senator Imee Marcos— accused the impeachment camp of orchestrating a political attack aimed at diminishing the Vice President’s influence.
Several pro-Duterte lawmakers have already filed motions seeking outright dismissal when Congress reconvenes.
A test of the constitution— and 2028 politics
The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara DuterteCarpio marks a defining moment in the country’s democratic evolution.
As the first sitting vice president to be tried by the Senate, the case raises urgent questions about political accountability, the independence of institutions, and the balance of power in a country still navigating post-pandemic governance and dynastic politics.
PAGE 6
The economic cost of inaction...
The RYTHM Foundation works extensively among Southeast Asian communities, where deep-rooted social norms and weak policy enforcement prevent women’s economic participation. In Southeast Asia, entrenched norms and weak policies keep women out of the workforce— only 32 percent of women are in the workforce, according to the World Bank.
An estimated 660 million women are excluded from the workforce due to caregiving responsibilities, which was worsened by the pandemic that put many women out of work entirely.
Only a small fraction of global investment funds is directed toward women-focused initiatives in developing countries to address gaps in women’s health and education. In emerging economies, funding beyond microcredit barely exists, leaving women-owned businesses unsupported, undervalued, and underfinanced.
To close the gap, local companies must build clear pathways for women’s growth through mentorship, retention, and support. We need to move beyond performative gestures, and drive real, sustained change before another generation is left behind.
Tangible action must address issues limiting women’s participation and growth. Companies need to implement effective policies to support women’s growth, including shared parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and equal pay. These proven solutions should be scaled across organizations to drive systemic change and benefit all employees.
We also need serious investment in critical areas that prevent women’s economic and career advancement.
Women in developing countries often lack access to capital, digital connectivity, and social safety nets. Digital access enables learning and economic opportunities, while capital helps women entrepreneurs. Social safety nets like subsidized health services and disability coverage protect financial progress from emergencies.
earn, they invest in health, education, and jobs, driving economic transformation.
At RYTHM Foundation, I’ve seen how empowering women uplifts entire communities. Rural women are breaking norms, entering fields like sports and law enforcement, and inspiring the next generation.
Our future hinges on the actions we take today. We already have the data and know the solutions. Companies must move beyond token initiatives and dismantle existing barriers. Investors must back women-led ventures, and policymakers must create environments for women’s economic participation.
Yes, we can’t deny that the barriers are breaking … but they’re not breaking fast or hard enough. Gender parity isn’t just a moral imperative— it’s an economic necessity. So why are we still resisting? (Inquirer.net) *
With the 19th Congress adjourning on June 13, the impeachment proceedings
If convicted by a twothirds majority in the Senate, Duterte would be permanently disqualified from holding public office, potentially ending any plans to run in the 2028 presidential election.
The corporate sector has the resources and responsibility to drive change. Equality drives stronger financial outcomes and brings diverse perspectives, fueling innovation and solving challenges.
Datin Seri Umayal Eswaran chairs the RYTHM Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the QI Group of Companies that leads transformative initiatives across Asia focused on education, women’s empowerment, and community development. The foundation has reached some 80,000 individuals across over 20 countries and has partnered with at least 115 organizations to launch more than 50 sustainable projects. PAGE 1
With deepening political divisions, rising public scrutiny, and high constitutional stakes, the coming months will not only test Duterte’s legal defense—but the capacity of Philippine democracy to hold its highest officials to account. n
While some progress has been noted—as in the Philippines which ranks third globally for women occupying 43 percent of senior management posts— true gender parity remains out of reach.
We must also reframe conversations from being exclusively a women’s social issue to an economic issue that benefits all, including men. Shifting outdated views requires highlighting the economic benefits and showcasing successful examples of gender-inclusive progress. When women
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *
SMILE! Senator Risa Hontiveros takes photos with colleagues Senators Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay and Loren Legarda on the last day of the Third Regular Session of the 19th Congress on Wednesday, June 11. Poe and Makati City Mayor-elect Binay have ended their six-year terms.
PNA
photo by Avito Dalan
The GrabTaxi Electric service, currently in beta testing, is available in Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Paranaque and Pasay. Contributed photo
Yulo ends Korea show with 1 gold, 3 bronzes
by Joey Villar Philstar.com
MANILA — Carlos Yulo missed out on replicating his three-gold haul in the previous Senior Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, settling for a gold and three bronze medals this time in the South Korea edition.
The last two bronzes came from vault where he wound up with an average score of 14.333 behind Iranian Mahdi Olfati (14.5) and Chinese Huang Mingqi (14.4) and in parallel bars where he had a 14.166 behind Japanese Shinnosuke Oka (14.7) and Tomoharu Tsunoghai (14.466).
The Paris Olympics double-gold medalist tried to add another medal in the horizontal bar but a bad fall sent him down to seventh or second to last with a flat 12.
The Filipino spectacle from Leveriza in Manila failed to match his effort in last year’s staging in Tashkent, Uzbekistan where he harvested three golds in floor, vault and parallel bars.
Nonetheless, Yulo had a worthy showing, winning the gold in floor exercise and
earlier snaring a bronze in the individual all around on Thursday, June 5.
More importantly, Yulo punched a ticket to the World Championships set Oct. 19 to 25 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Also, that floor exercise mint hiked his total in the annual event to a whopping 11.
Another Filipino, John Ivan Cruz also made the final in
vault and wound up sixth with a 14.15.
Yulo’s younger brother Karl Eldrew went home with a silver from vault in the juniors’ division where he tallied 13.850.
South Korean Bak Junwoo copped the gold with a 13.933 while another home bet in Daegeon An snatched the silver with a 13.783. n
Sara Duterte's office confirms receipt of Senate summons
by Cristina Chi Philstar.com
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte's office confirmed on Wednesday, June 11, that it has received the writ of summons issued by the Senate impeachment court.
"The Office of the Vice President confirms receipt of the summons issued by the Senate Impeachment Court at around 11:05 AM today," the OVP said in a brief statement.
The Senate sergeantat-arms served the writ of summons at Duterte's office in Mandaluyong City.
The summons directs Duterte to submit her official response to the articles of impeachment within a nonextendible period of 10 days.
The House prosecutors will then submit their response to Duterte within five days.
Senator-judges were sworn in as court judges during Tuesday's (June 10) plenary session.
A motion by staunch
According to Article 7 of the Senate's rules of procedure on impeachment trials, the issuance of the summons to the impeached person follows the presentation of articles of impeachment and the organization of the Senate as an impeachment court.
ally Sen. Ronald dela Rosa failed to dismiss the case before the court convened on Tuesday was shot down. But the senator-judges eventually voted to return the impeachment articles to the House due to concerns with their constitutionality, plunging the impeachment trial into uncertainty. n
Trial by delay...
PAGE 6
wasn’t about grammar. It was about the rule of law. When the Constitution speaks clearly, Congress doesn’t get a remix.
Some senators murmur that impeachment can’t carry over to the next Congress. But that’s legal fiction bordering on magical realism. The Senate is a continuing body. It doesn’t dissolve like the House does. In 2004, then senator Nene Pimentel argued that a joint canvassing committee lost its authority when Congress adjourned. The Supreme Court disagreed. Constitutional duties don’t expire with the session. The job must be done.
Ironically, Sen. Koko Pimentel —son of the petitioner— now seems to invoke the court ruling to remind his colleagues that the Senate must act. He cites the chamber’s own impeachment rules, adopted from the Corona trial and patterned after the U.S. Senate’s. Once trial begins, all other business halts. The Senate meets daily until “final judgment shall be rendered.” No recess. No rewind.
Impeachment is not just any job. It is a crucible. When the Senate receives articles of impeachment, it swaps its legislative cloak for judicial robes. It becomes a court.
And courts don’t close shop because the calendar flips.
In the U.S., the practice affirms the principle. Bill Clinton’s Senate trial began in January 1999, under a new Congress, after impeachment by the outgoing House. In 1804, Judge John Pickering’s trial also proceeded in a new Congress, though the articles arrived just as the old one ended.
Impeachment, it turns out, doesn’t punch a timecard. It clocks in until justice clocks out.
And yet here, the Senate floats other plans. Senate President Francis Escudero says there’s legislation to finish before June 14. Majority Leader Francis Tolentino warns of a “functional dismissal” if trial can’t finish before June 30, when old senators depart. It’s less a countdown to justice than a countdown to cowardice.
But as constitutional law scholar Michael Gerhardt has noted in How Impeachment Works (87 Mo. L. Rev. 2022): impeachments ultimately “test nearly everyone.” Not the least of whom is the Senate: to render “impartial justice according to the laws and Constitution.”
By doing nothing, the Senate risks doing something far worse: normalizing delay as dismissal. When
silence becomes strategy, accountability dies not with a bang, but by default.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa has even suggested throwing out the complaint entirely. The logic? “We didn’t act, so there’s nothing to act on.” It’s either legislative amnesia, or “obstruction dressed as protocol” as Sen. Risa Hontiveros put it.
Citizens may disagree on whether Duterte is guilty. That is what a trial is for. But they should not have to disagree on whether she deserves a trial. That is what the Constitution is for. The Senate still has time to act —but it’s running out of excuses. With every day of delay, the burden of history grows heavier: did they uphold the Constitution, or dodge it? It’s not strongmen who bury democracy. It’s institutions that fail to show up. (Inquirer. net)
* * *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * *
Noel B. Lazaro was part of the defense team of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona in the 2012 impeachment trial. He teaches Remedial Law subjects and writes opinion pieces on constitutional and environmental issues.
Carlos Yulo settles for a gold and three bronze medals this time in South Korea. Photo from Facebook/@carlosedrielyulo
Duterte
Vice President Sara Duterte Photo from Facebook/@MayorIndaySaraDuterte
Pres. Marcos’ P20 rice program begins Bacolod rollout, eyes nationwide expansion by yearend
The initiative combines food affordability with farmer support through government-backed pricing and distribution
by AJPress
BACOLOD CITY — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship rice subsidy initiative officially launched in Bacolod City on June 5, with rollout plans targeting up to 2 million low-income households across the country by the end of 2025, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
Branded as “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na,” the program offers rice at P20 per kilo to qualified beneficiaries, while also providing price support to Filipino farmers through the government’s procurement system.
“This is not a one-off relief effort—it’s a coordinated national intervention that supports both ends of the supply chain,” Laurel said at the launch. He described the initiative as a “structured program” meant to address both hunger and rural livelihood.
Bacolod kicks off pilot rollout
Three Kadiwa ng Pangulo distribution centers began operations in Bacolod on June 5, including one at the Burgos Public Market. Beneficiaries—among them 4Ps households, senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents, minimum wage earners, and indigent families—are entitled to purchase up to 30 kilos of rice per month at the discounted rate.
Rice in local markets currently retails at P42 to P50 per kilo, based on Department of Agriculture (DA) monitoring.
Mayor Albee Benitez joined Secretary Laurel at the launch, calling the program a “timely measure” that makes food more accessible amid continued inflationary pressures.
How the subsidy works
The National Food Authority (NFA) is purchasing palay (unmilled rice) from farmers at P23 to P24 per kilo, above the market average of P15 to P19 per kilo, to ensure fairer farmgate returns. The rice is then milled and sold to consumers at P20 per kilo through government-run outlets.
The program is backed by an initial P4.5
billion allocation from the President’s Contingent Fund, and implemented in coordination with Food Terminal Inc. and local government units. Rollouts are already underway in parts of Metro Manila, Mindoro, and Mindanao.
Integrated food strategy
The P20 rice program complements broader food security efforts, including the Walang Gutom 2027 food stamp initiative led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Some DSWD beneficiaries are being integrated into rice subsidy access points.
The DA also announced a P2 reduction in the suggested retail price (SRP) of imported rice—from P45 to P43 per kilo—effective July 1, 2025, to align with global market conditions and provide additional price relief.
Legislative backing in progress
President Marcos has committed to sustaining the P20-per-kilo program through June 2028. Lawmakers are pushing for legislative support, including amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law, restoration of the NFA’s buffer stocking role, and creation of a Rice Assistance Fund. These proposals remain under congressional review as of June 2025.
Outlook: From pilot to national policy
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, about 17.5 million Filipinos — or 15.5% of the population — were living below the national poverty line in 2023.
A Social Weather Stations survey conducted in March 2025 found that 27.2% of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the previous three months.
With food costs continuing to pressure household budgets, the P20 rice program represents a significant state intervention — combining targeted relief with economic strategy. Whether it becomes a long-term solution will depend on execution, funding, and the government’s ability to balance consumer needs with the welfare of the country’s rice producers. n
The birth of the Filipino nation...
PAGE 6
battered but unbroken spirit of a people who had once dared to rise.
Nearly five decades later, in 1946, with the world emerging from the wreckage of World War II, the United States granted the Philippines its formal independence.
But the date—July 4—was symbolic of America’s victory, not of the Filipino people’s first claim to nationhood.
For years, we celebrated a freedom that was granted, not the one we declared.
That changed in 1962, when President Diosdado Macapagal reclaimed our
rightful history by restoring June 12 as Araw ng Kalayaan. In doing so, he affirmed what our forebears had always known: that the identity of a nation cannot be outsourced. It must be authored from within.
To commemorate June 12 is to remember a deeper truth: freedom is not a ceremony— it is an act of will, of sacrifice, of continuity. It is not won once, but again and again, in every generation. The colonizers did not just claim our land—they sought to reshape our language, erase our memory, and fracture our sense of self.
Jinggoy Estrada wants to end senior high, saying it failed its goals
by Jean Mangaluz Philstar.com
MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada has filed a measure seeking to remove senior high school, citing its failure to achieve its intended goals.
Estrada’s Senate Bill 3001, known as the Rationalized Basic Education Act, does not repeal Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 in its entirety. Specifically, however, it aims to eliminate the additional two years of senior high school.
Estrada argued that the program costs students and parents both time and money without delivering on its promises.
Under his bill, the new structure would consist of one year of kindergarten, six years of elementary education, and four years of secondary school.
“This bill is a practical step to fix our basic education system—make it more efficient, use resources better, and give students a more meaningful learning experience,” Estrada said.
was former senator Sonny Angara, who now serves as the Education Secretary.
Estrada explained that the senior high school program was intended to align the Philippine education system with international standards, enabling graduates to secure jobs without a college degree.
But the program has been implemented with mounting challenges, leaving many graduates struggling to find employment.
But the Filipino soul endured. It endured in secret schools and outlawed presses, in the lyrics of kundiman and the prayers of elders, in the quiet defiance of every farmer, teacher, mother, and worker who refused to be less than human.
That resistance is our inheritance. The Filipino nation was not born in a single moment. It was shaped by thousands—perhaps millions—of unrecorded acts of bravery. It rose not only from revolutions, but from resilience. Not only from generals, but from grandparents. Not only from banners, but from beliefs that
“Ever since this education reform was put in place, it has been met with criticisms and objections from various groups. It has been 12 years now since the enactment of the law, yet it still has not fully achieved its goal,” Estrada said in a statement.
refused to die.
Today, Philippine Independence Day is marked by flag ceremonies, speeches, parades, and celebrations both in the homeland and across the globe. But the essence of June 12 lies not in ritual—it lies in renewal.
It asks: What does freedom mean in our time? And are we worthy of those who claimed it before us?
True independence cannot be measured by sovereignty alone. It is measured by how we protect the weak, how we hold leaders accountable,
SB 3001 also proposes replacing the word “enhanced” in the current law with “rationalized.”
What went before. Estrada, however, was among the senators who voted in favor of the original K-12 measure in 2012.
The lawmaker who sponsored the K-12 bill
The measure comes as part of ongoing efforts to improve the K-12 program.
The Department of Education, led by Angara, has acknowledged issues with the program and is working to upgrade the curriculum. The reworked curriculum no longer has designated tracks, with students only selecting which electives could interest them. n
To honor the birth of the Filipino nation is not only to look back with pride— it is to look ahead with responsibility.
To speak truth, to challenge injustice, to live with conscience. Because in 1898, a people declared their freedom to the world. And today, more than a century later, it is our task to make that declaration matter—with wisdom, with courage with each passing year. (AJPress)
how we teach our children the truth, how we remember those who came before us, and how we serve those who will come after. It is measured by how we treat the stranger, how we defend the poor, how we value integrity over power, and service over spectacle. June 12 is not a closed chapter. It is a mirror and a question. It reflects who we have been—and asks who we still might become. What kind of nation are we building with the freedom we inherited? Are we defenders of democracy or bystanders to its erosion? Are we lifting each other or leaving others behind?
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. Atlas Super Flags employee Arlene shows the giant Philippine flag she just finished sewing at their shop in Sta. Cruz, ManIla on Wednesday, June 11. She handles orders of bigger flags. PNA photo by Ben Briones
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Fil‑Am families seek immigration advice in part 1 of picnic at the park in this Sunday’s brand‑new episode of Citizen Pinoy
THIS Sunday, “Citizen Pinoy” presents another inspiring edition of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” — this time from a lively Memorial Day picnic hosted by the PhilippineAmerican Association of the Treasure Coast (Phil-Am TC) in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Following their elegant 40th Anniversary Memorial Ball, the community gathered once again the next day to celebrate Filipino heritage, family, and friendship — with music, traditional games, overflowing food, and of course, immigration questions. Phil-Am TC, founded in 1985, is a respected nonprofit organization made up of professionals, entrepreneurs, healthcare workers, artists, and more from the southern counties of Florida. Their mission includes preserving Filipino culture, providing scholarships, and supporting those in need both in the U.S. and the Philippines. Events
PAGE 12 Christina with Atty. Gurfinkel
PART 1 OF CITIZEN PINOY’S YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT – FILIPINO PICNIC SERIES – ANSWERS IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS FROM FIL-AM FAMILIES FROM FLORIDA. This Sunday, “Citizen Pinoy” features Part 1 of a special “Your Tanong, My Sagot” series from the Philippine-American Association of the Treasure Coast’s Filipino picnic in Port St. Lucie, Florida. After celebrating their 40th anniversary with a grand ball, the Fil-Am community gathered again the next day for food, music, and meaningful conversations – including immigration concerns shared with leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. In this episode, green card holder Rowena asks how to avoid issues when returning to the U.S. from a trip to the Philippines. Shane and Carla, newly married, want to know how Carla’s J-1 visa might affect their spousal petition. Pia, whose grandparents are listed as her parents in her birth certificate, wants to know how she can petition her biological mother, while Christina, a financially challenged U.S. citizen, hopes to reunite with her children either by petition or tourist visa. Watch this informative episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, June 15 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
PhiliP S. ChUa, mD, FaCS, FPCS
DURING our recent 13-day cruise in Madeira (Portugal), and Bilbao (Spain, where a Guggenheim Museum is), and the autonomous Canary Islands of Tenerife and Lanzarote (Spain), via the Port in Southampton, United Kingdom, our group enjoyed various legumes and a huge array of foods at the Windjammer buffet and during our more formal dinners.
Black beans and chickpeas are very important part of the diet in Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands, and a new study explores the metabolic benefits of consuming legumes in individuals with pre-diabetes.
The 12-week study revealed that instead of eating white rice, consuming black beans or chickpeas was associated with reduced markers of inflammation, and consuming chickpeas reduces blood cholesterol. These legumes support a balanced gut microbiome. These are two beneficial metabolic parameters for good health. This study was presented at Nutrition 2025, the annual (flagship) meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, in Orlando Florida. Larger independent studies are needed to confirm and validate these wonderful preliminary findings.
Vitamin D and aging
Do you want to turn back your aging clock by 3 years?
A 5-year study tracking 1,000 adults showed that vitamin D supplementation may slow cellular aging by preserving telomeres, the protective caps at the end of chromosomes that shorten as we age. The research stated this preservation “could mean a 3-year decrease in aging.” So, talk to your physician about vitamin D supplementation for better regulation of calcium and phosphate in the body to keep muscles, joints, and teeth healthy, lowering cholesterol and reducing blood pressure, besides preserving the telomeres.
Sleep and heart health
Researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden examined how poor sleep can affect the body, specifically the heart. The findings revealed that biomarkers associated with inflammation and poor heart health increased after just 3 nights of poor sleep. The U.S.CDC recommends adults to get at least seven hours of sleep.
Beans in Spain
Studies show that, for most people, it is almost not possible to get that much sleep. Sleep deficiency can cause health issues, such as worsening mental health or accelerated brain aging, besides poorer cardiovascular health. Exercise did not cancel the bad effects of sleep deprivation.
Those with poor sleep, snorers or not, should consult their physician for a possible Sleep Test for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a condition affecting 30-40 million Americans, among whom 80 percent are undiagnosed. Worldwide, there are about 1 billion with Sleep Apnea.
Sleep, like oral health and gut microbiome, tremendously impact heart health.
Toxic metals and diabetes
A good balance in essential metal ions is vital to health and affects the general health and the development of diabetes as far as insulin production and insulin metabolic response is peripheral tissues as well as in the liver are concerned.
An imbalance of the metal ions affects the pancreas and leads to insulin resistance and decreasing insulin secretion, leading to the development of T2 diabetes.
Studies show “not all metal ions are beneficial to the body. Toxic metals such as lead, nickel, cadmium, and arsenic accumulate in tissues and are nondegradable. These harmful metals are found in air, water, and soil, posing risks to everyone but particularly to individuals with diabetes because they can interact with proteins in the body, leading to modification in function and kinetics.”
Achieving or restoring the ion balance is subject of greater research around the world.
Ultra-processed food
As we have written in this column for decades, consumption of processed foods, like bacon, hotdogs, ham, salami, and other deli items is associated with premature deaths from all-cause mortality.
Ultra-processed Foods (UPFs) “are defined as readyto-eat or heat industrial formulations that are made with ingredients extracted from foods or synthesized in laboratories, with little or no whole foods in their composition, according to the NOVA classification used for the analysis.”
These foods are becoming dominant in the global food supply, which accounts for over 50 percent of the average daily diet in some countries.
The more consumption of
UPFs, the greater the risk is, demonstrating a linear doserelationship, according to a global analysis study. “Some of these premature deaths could be prevented by reducing UPF consumption,” according to lead author Eduardo Nilson, DSc, Oswaldo Cruse Foundation, Brasilia, Brazil, (American Journal of Preventive Medicine).
Nothing beats eating regular natural food items (multi-color veggies, fruits and nuts) from healthy farms and occasional red meat.
Juice detox
Social media is ripe with fake health ideas like detoxification of the liver and balancing the gut microbiome with juices are effective and healthy. Scientists state these claims are dangerous: Juice detox is unhealthy and does the exact opposite.
“The majority of juice cleanses impact gut health negatively. They can cause bowel habit irregularity and even precipitate inflammatory bowel disease, as the gut microbiota is disrupted due to the lack of fiber in these cleanses. And we see patients all the time whose irritable bowel syndrome worsens after they’ve embarked on a juice cleanse,” a study states.
The study further says: “In addition, some juices are made from foods high in oxalate, such as leafy green vegetables and beets. Individuals susceptible to kidney stone formation should limit their consumption of high-oxalate foods, which can present a health threat.
“In fact, a case report published several years ago documented acute oxalate nephropathy caused by a ‘green smoothie cleanse’ prepared from juicing oxalaterich green leafy vegetables and fruits...” (Source: U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health).
A healthy lifestyle, which includes a healthful plant-based diet, a lot of cold pressed olive oil, with occasional red meat, abstinence from tobacco and alcohol (new finding: no amount of alcohol is safe), regular daily exercise and stress management, is the best (and inexpensive) detox strategy we have. This also helps preserve the telomeres of our chromosomes to extend our life to its maximum potential!
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
15
House adopts resolutions honoring Freddie Aguilar, Hajji Alejandro, Ricky Davao
by Gabriel Pabico lalu Inquirer.net
THE House of Representatives has adopted resolutions honoring the lives of three Filipino icons in the film and music industries who recently passed away — original Pilipino music (OPM) icons Hajji Alejandro and Freddie Aguilar, as well as former actor Ricky Davao.
During the session late Wednesday evening, June 4, the House adopted resolutions condoling with the families of Aguilar, Alejandro, and Davao.
Alejandro died on April 22, Davao on May 3, and Aguilar on May 27.
House Resolution (HR) No. 2310 acknowledges the contributions made by Alejandro to the OPM industry, noting that no
less than the National Commission for Culture and the Arts recognized his song, Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, as a “significant expression of Filipino nationalism in music, describing it as a piece that metaphorically celebrates the gift of song and the beauty of the Filipino musical spirit.”
“Mr. Hajji Alejandro’s contributions to Philippine music represent an indelible legacy — one that enriched the nation’s cultural
heritage, elevated OPM to unprecedented heights, and brought joy and inspiration to millions of Filipinos,” HR No. 2310 stated.
HR No. 2312, meanwhile, lauds Aguilar’s contributions, including his internationally acclaimed hit song “Anak”, which became the bestselling Filipino record of all time.
“Mr. Aguilar stands as one of the Filipino singer-
Fil‑Am families seek immigration advice...
PAGE 11
like this Memorial Day picnic bring generations together in a community setting where important questions can be asked and answered.
In Part 1 of this 2-part series, leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel responds to questions from community members.
• Green card holder Rowena wants to know how she can avoid problems when returning to the U.S. after a trip to the Philippines.
• Newlyweds Shane and Carla are concerned about how Carla’s J-1 visa might affect the spousal petition already filed on her behalf.
• Pia reveals her unusual birth history — her grandparents are listed as her parents — and asks how to petition her biological mother.
• Christina, a U.S. citizen struggling financially, wants
guidance on reuniting with her children through tourist visas or petitions.
As always, Atty. Gurfinkel breaks down complex immigration concerns into clear and practical advice.
Be sure to watch Part 1 of this Filipino picnic series in this informative “Your
also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
Tanong, My Sagot” episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, June 15 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is
Pia with Atty. Gurfinkel
Rowena with Atty. Gurfinkel
(Left to right) Freddi Aguilar, Hajji Alejandro and Ricky Davao Inquirer.net file photos
Newlyweds Shane and Carla, with Atty. Gurfinkel
A flag raised on Fifth Avenue
Inside the Filipino parade that transformed Madison Avenue into a living tapestry of Heritage—the largest Philippine independence day celebration outside the Philippines
by AJPress
NEW YORK CITY — The aroma of Filipino food— reminiscent of Manila’s bustling street stalls—mingled with the sound of brass horns, as sunlight danced on silk ternos and Filipino voices filled Madison Avenue. For a few luminous hours on this bright Sunday, the most iconic commercial corridor in America became something else entirely: a passageway into the Filipino spirit.
It was the 35th annual Philippine Independence Day Parade—the largest and longest-running celebration of its kind outside the Philippines.
But more than an anniversary, more than a procession, it was a declaration: that identity can stretch across oceans and still arrive intact. That freedom, like culture, is carried—not just remembered.
The Avenue as Archipelago
From 38th to 27th Streets, the parade unfolded like a living tapestry of the Philippines— with marchers in handwoven barongs and regional attire symbolizing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Together they embodied an archipelago— fragmented yet unified.
Then came the drums. The brass and percussion of Banda El Gobernador, flown in from Bacoor, Cavite and sponsored by Mayor Strike Revilla, thundered across Madison Avenue, transforming the procession into a heartbeat of cultural pride.
Riding nearby was the Alas Pilipinas Men’s National Volleyball Team, making their debut at the parade. Fans cheered wildly, waving flags not just for sport but for the possibility that national pride could wear a jersey and ride a float down Madison Avenue.
The soundtrack of kalayaan
The celebration crescendoed at 26th Street, where the postparade concert blurred the line
between entertainment and ritual.
Headlining was Martin Nievera, the Philippines’ undisputed “Concert King,” whose voice has spanned generations and heartbreaks. His set electrified the crowd— not just with music, but with memory.
He was joined by Sofronio Vasquez, fresh off his The Voice Season 26 win, and P-pop trailblazers BINI and 4th Impact, whose synchronized energy marked a shift: this was no longer just a reflection of what was—it was a mirror of what Filipino culture is becoming.
Where faith meets Fifth Avenue
Before the fanfare, the day began in reverence. A flag-raising ceremony and interfaith thanksgiving Mass were held at the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue, led by Rev. Fr. Julian Jagudilla, OFM. For many, it was a quiet reckoning—between faith and homeland, memory and migration.
The street fair of memory and movement
Nearby, the 26th Street fair offered a full sensory immersion. The air buzzed with Tagalog, Ilocano, English, and laughter. Stalls served lechon, pancit, taho, and halohalo, while dedicated booths from Ateneo, La Salle, UP, UST, and CIT-Uoffered both cultural camaraderie and community engagement.
The Department of Tourism pitched Philippine destinations as dream vacations. Meanwhile, under white tents, consular staff offered passport renewals and overseas voter registration— small acts of civic belonging under a foreign sky.
The Consul’s quiet affirmation
Presiding over the ribboncutting, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile delivered a message that echoed louder than the microphone:
“As we walk down Madison Avenue, let us be proud of our heritage and confident in our future in this country.”
No slogans. Just certainty. That being Filipino in America doesn’t require dilution—only depth.
Celebrating heritage all month long Kalayaan 2025 is far from over. On June 28, the
celebration continues at the New York State Capitol in Albany, hosted by the Kalayaan 1521 Council. Events are also planned across New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania throughout the month.
Each gathering is a quiet defiance of forgetting. Each moment, a way of saying: we are still here.
A people in motion, a history alive
For many immigrants, the journey to America is one of necessary compromise. But on this Sunday in June, as silk swayed, drums thundered, and the scent of inasal lingered on Madison Avenue, there was no compromise—only celebration.
Kalayaan doesn’t just mean independence. It means being whole.
And here, in the heart of Manhattan, wholeness was on full, luminous display.
events arts culture entertainment
‘Holding close what grounds me’: Tom Rodriguez shares photos with son, partner
by Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com
ACTOR Tom Rodriguez publicly shared a photo of his family including son Korben for the first time, but kept their faces hidden for privacy concerns.
Rodriguez posted on social media a carousel of photos taken at a photography studio of him, his non-showbiz girlfriend, and Korben, the latter two turned away from the camera each time.
The actor explained in the post’s caption that “some treasures in life are too sacred to put on full display.”
“Holding close what grounds me. What restores me. What reminds me of who I am beyond the lights, the noise, and the roles I play. This family of mine is my sanctuary…My peace,” Rodriguez said. “And in a world that often demands a performance, they are where I’m most real.”
Rodriguez revealed he became a father last year, several months after his divorce to fellow actor Carla Abellana was confirmed.
Earlier this year, Rodriguez posted a photo of himself carrying Korben with his son’s back to the camera.
Beans in Spain
The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle, to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
* * *
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas,
Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, U.S. senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, scientists, and educators. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Amazon.com (“Where is My America?”); Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Tom Rodriguez and his family Photo from Instagram/@akosimangtomas
Members of the Bayanihan Association of the Capital District (left photo) and Gingoognons in the United States of America (right photo) perform along Madison Avenue in vibrant traditional attire, showcasing regional dances and cultural pride.
Photos by Sherlyn Roxas
The officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in New York are joined by their families during the parade. Photo by Sherlyn Roxas
rogelio ConStantino meDina My P.E.P. (People, Events,Places)
My dad Antonio Medina was an LVN actor
I VIVIDLY remember the days several actors, including directors, often visited our house in San Juan, Metro Manila for my dad, Antonio “Tony” B. Medina was an LVN child and teenage actor, who appeared in Squatters (1953), directed by Gregorio Fernandez (actor Rudy Fernandez’s father) and written by Florentino Garcia and Jose Corazon de Jesus, with Nestor de Villa, Nida Blanca, Tony Santos, Gil de Leon, Alfonso Carvajal, Johnny Reyes, Elena Acosta, Letty Alonzo, Ester Bautista, Natoy Catindig, and Miniong Alvarez; music was composed by Quin Velasco.
He appeared in LVN’s Dagohoy (1953). The movie was directed by Gregorio Fernandez with Mario Montenegro (as Dagohoy), Tessie Quintana, Rosa Rosal, Tony Santos, Gil de Leon (actor Christopher de Leon’s father), Ven Medina, Leroy Salvador, Nora Dy, Alfonso Carvajal, Joseph de Cordova, Frankie Gordon, Jose Vergara, Arturo Moran, Natoy Catindig, Mario Roldan, Casmot, Sim Pajarillo, Mario Taquibulos, Ezar Visenio, and Lorna Mirasol; music for the movie
was composed by Francisco Buencamino Jr.
He also did LVN’s Kuwentong Bahay-Bahayan (1953) as Kadyo. The film, directed by Manuel Silos, starred Ronaldo Acuzar, Carmen Banez, Willy Cruz, Antonio de los Angeles, Nora Dy, and Ike Jarlego Jr.
In 1955, he appeared in LVN’s Dalagita’t Binatilyo, a delightful musical about teenagers. It was directed by Artemio Canseco and written by Susana C. de Guzman. It starred Nenita Vital, Manding Claro, Nora Dy, Bayani Casimiro, Milani Villongco, Hector Reyes, Arturo Sison, Romeo Flores, Antonio de los Angeles, Mervin Silva, Mervin Fabian, Dolores Fabian, Menandro Ramos, and Fernando Nangan. It was LVN matriarch Doña Sisang or Narcisa Buencamino de Leon who personally discovered my dad. He did films with Joseph Estrada, Fernando Poe Jr. and Johnny Delgado (Laurice Guillen’s hubby) and appeared in an ABS-CBN TV series with Snooky Serna’s mother, Mila Ocampo (actor Von Serna’s wife).
* * *
As we celebrate Father’s Day on June 15, allow me to feature fathers from all walks of life. I asked four fathers (last batch): (1) How does it feel to be a father? (2) Define fatherhood.
The respondents’ replies are as follows:
Saul de Vries, Department of Migrant Workers’ labor attache based in Washington, D.C.: (1) “I feel blessed in many respects. It is often said that children are God’s blessings. I completely agree. The happiness and love I get to experience with my children are immeasurable blessings that constantly warm my personhood. The great responsibility and many sacrifices that come with fatherhood are challenges worth bearing and embracing. Each challenge I dealt was meant one step forward for my children to live a full life and achieve their dreams. My heart was filled for every milestone and defining moment that my children experienced and celebrated. Their star was my own too. And that made me feel full.” (2) “Fatherhood is a process of guiding a child through his realization and aspiration. It is helping someone steer life to the right direction and be that somebody one wanted for self, family, community and society. It is about taking responsibility for someone’s wellbeing until one is prepared to deal such responsibility on one’s own. It is about staying around a child in every twist and turn of his/her life and making sure that he/she has a buddy to share and celebrate each moment.”
Chef Dale Aguirre Julagting, a product of De La Salle Araneta University: (1)
“Seeing your children grow, hearing their first words or sentence, seeing their first steps or climbing the stairs on their own are some rewarding experiences to hear and see as a father. My heart is happier when my child sees me especially. When I came from work, he would run to me and say, ‘Hello daddy, welcome home!’ Every inch of my tiredness flies away and makes me feel revitalized.” (2)
“Being a father is a lifetime amazing experience for your children see you as their one true champion or the hero of their lives.”
Actor Dale Villar Acelar who works at Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville: (1) “At 25, I already knew – I wanted to be a dad. Not just someday, but soon. I was ready to give my heart to someone in a way that was pure, honest, and unconditional. I didn’t know what kind of dad I’d be, but I knew I had so much love to give. The idea of raising someone, guiding them, and being their safe place – that meant everything to
me. It wasn’t about being perfect. It was about being present, loving, and real.” (2) “Fatherhood, to me, is about showing up – being present, loving, and always connected through guidance and support. In the beginning, it’s simple – just a daddy loving his child. They may not fully understand it yet, but they feel it. They know I’m there, and that they can count on me. As they grow, that love evolves. I become their guide, their example, their safety net. The dynamic shifts with time, but the bond stays strong. It’s not always easy, but every single moment – every hug, every lesson, every late-night talk – is absolutely worth it!”
PAREF Southridge School teacher Jose Francisco
“Cholo” Kawada of Naguilian, Isabela, who is married to Judge Rose Beltran-Kawada and they have 3 kids (Gerard, Beatrice and Sophia): (1) “When I finally became a dad, it became the be-all and end-all of my being a family man. Being a father completes me as an individual. And therefore, everything that I do as a father, everything that we do as parents, they all boil down to helping our children become the best versions of themselves, as our gift to God for His benevolence and blessings to us.” (2) “Fatherhood to me is a spiritual undertaking. My children are not totally mine, they are God’s. Parents are cocreators, are partners, of God in managing this wonderful world. Our children are given to us to take care of, to nurture, to guide, to support, to help and assist them discover their gifts and talents, so they become productive citizens of the world, contribute to the well-being of society, and do the will of God.”
* * *
“Tres Maestros: Where Color Meets Form and Soul,” an exhibit of three artists, namely Juno Galang, Augusto Santiago, and Raul Isidro, who each shapes emotion into color, form and timeless expression, will open on June 14, 2025 at the Life ‘n Arts Gallery in Ayala Malls Solenad, Santa Rosa - Tagaytay Road, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines.
* * *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
Actor Antonio B. Medina with his wife Rosita C. Medina.
Chef Dale Aguirre Julagting Teacher Cholo Kawada
Actor Dale Villar Acelar, who works at Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville.
Washington, D.C.-based labor attache Saul de Vries
At the then-LVN Museum, photos of actor Joseph Estrada (upmost left), actor Antonio Medina (over the gun), producer Doña Narcisa Buencamino de Leon (on the table beside the many awards), and other LVN actors and actresses are shown.
Photos compiled by Rogelio Medina
Artists Juno Galang, Raul Isidro and Augusto Santiago will have an exhibit at Life ‘n Arts Gallery inside Ayala Malls Solenad 3, Nuvali.
Pia Wurtzbach on tackling obstacles before her main character era 10 YEARS AFTER MISS UNIVERSE STINT
by armin P. adina Inquirer.net
THIS year marks a decade since Pia Wurtzbach broke a 42-year title drought for the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant, becoming the third Filipino woman to bring home the crown. But before she was able to attain “main character” status, she had to hurdle a lot of obstacle along her way.
Looking back on her journey to glory, the beauty queen imparted a great deal of wisdom that she has gained on her way to the historic win, and even beyond her reign.
“Before you become the best, everybody starts from zero, everybody starts from scratch. And we’ve all started as beginners, as dreamers na hindi pa talaga natin sigurado kung para sa amin ba talaga ito (who haven’t figured out iF this is really for us),” Wurtzbach said at the launch of the “Bida Best, Bida Pinoy” campaign of a Filipino fastfood giant held at Whitespace in Makati City on Thursday evening, June 5. She was tapped to be the “Bida Puso” (winning heart) ambassador for the campaign, channeling her winning Miss Universe answer of being “confidently beautiful with a heart.”
Also among the roster of ambassadors are the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz as “Bida Lakas” (winning strength) ambassador, Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena as “Bida Tapang” (winning courage) ambasador, and two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo as “Bida Husay” (winning skill) ambassador.
Wurtzbach said one may not get their desired result right away, but the goal is not easily out of sight if one perseveres. “Sigurado ka
House
songwriters to successfully break into the Western market, achieving widespread international recognition, bringing immense pride and honor to the Philippines, and showcasing the depth and power of Filipino musical artistry on the world stage,” HR No. 2312 said.
Pia Wurtzbach
H Mart expands into bakery & café franchise business
Accelerating
the growth of ‘Ten Thousand’ & ‘L’AMI’ brands
Photo from Instagram/@piajauncey sa sarili mo, sa puso mo, sa pangarap mo (You are sure of yourself, of your heart, and of your dream),” she said.
Many people are aware that she joined the Binibining Pilipinas pageant three times before she was able to get her ticket to the Miss Universe competiton, and clinch the international crown.
Wurtzbach said she did not want to put to waste all that she had already done on her way to the crown, adn the years she spent working on her dream. “Nag-invest ako ng time, ng pagod, ng atensyon ko dito (I invested my time, work, and attention for this),” she explained.
And a decade after winning the coveted crown, the beauty queen said she is not taking it for granted, and expressed her gratitude for having the opportunity to reach more people.
“I can get to work with the organizations that I really love. I still work with UNAIDS.
I still work with LoveYourself. I still work on my advocacy on HIV and mental health,” Wurtzbach said.
She said many doors opened up for her after her win, and this has given her more resources that allowed her to expand her advocacy work and help more people, years after she has relinquished her crown and has stepped away from the pageant stage.
“For me that’s the meaning of ‘bida best.’ You level up, you evolve. And you cannot take your journey for granted,” she said.
Now one of the most influential online content creators in the international fashion scene, Wurtzbach tells the people to be open to everything, and have the humility to learn something new.
“It is okay to start again, and to evolve. You can still adjust and become even greater,” she shared.
GRAND BK, the purchasing division of H Mart—the largest Asian supermarket chain in the U.S.—is officially expanding its specialty coffee and bakery café franchise operations under the brands Ten Thousand and L’AMI
‘Ten Thousand ’ is a global specialty coffee brand that began in Sydney, Australia in 2020. It currently operates in the U.S., Taiwan, and Vietnam, and is steadily expanding into regions such as the Philippines and Japan.
With carefully selected, high-quality beans sourced by baristas and Q-Graders, Ten Thousand offers signature menu items like hand- drip coffee, Einspänner, and espresso cream lattes, which have gained strong popularity among younger consumers.
Grand BK signed a U.S. master franchise agreement
in 2022 and has since been successfully operating three stores in Manhattan , New York. Beginning in 2024, it is accelerating its franchise development with new stores planned in Jersey City (NJ), Carrollton (TX), and Los Angeles (CA). Expansion discussions are also underway in other key states such as New York, Washington, Illinois, Maryland, and Georgia, as well as at major transportation hubs like JFK Airport and Seattle SEA Airport. The brand’s future growth is expected to further accelerate.
Meanwhile, L’AMI is a café-style bakery brand launched in 2016 by Grand BK specifically for franchise development. The brand has been consistently loved by customers for its highquality pastries, cakes, and a variety of dessert offerings.
Currently, L’AMI operates five stores across New York, Virginia, and Hawaii, with a new location soon opening inside the H Mart in Great Neck, New York.
L’AMI supports both inshop formats (inside H Mart stores) and independent stand-alone store formats, providing franchise owners with flexible operation options. Recently, the brand has strengthened its premium dessert lineup while incorporating the authenticity and flavors of traditional Korean bakeries—gaining a distinctive competitive edge.
“Ricky Davao’s enduring artistry, professionalism, and creative leadership have left an indelible mark on Philippine entertainment, serving as an inspiration to future generations of Filipino artists,” HR No. 2311 stated.
Meanwhile, HR No. 2311 acknowledges Davao’s versatility, moving from dancing to acting for television and movies, and eventually directing films and theater plays.
Other resolutions have been filed honoring the lives of other legendary Filipino icons who also recently passed away — movie superstar Nora Aunor and Asia’s” Queen of Songs” Pilita Corrales.
The resolutions have been brought to the plenary and may be adopted by the House before the session adjourns on June 11.
